...because of the scarring in my upper chest, they feel the lung transplant surgery would be very difficult. We're working on getting into Cedars now. They know my case well since Dr. Kahan has been working with them from the beginning on it, and they haven't expressed any issues like this, so hopefully I can get an appointment quickly to get rolling.

I also have a good connection at USC through a friend, but they haven't seen my case at all. So my best shot right now is Cedars.

That really stinks. They call it their "protocol", but your web address seems more accurate. You'll carry on, and get into another program. Thinking about you. Hang in there. Turned Allison on to your blog.

Mon Sep 26 2005 7:45 PM

Ramin:

too late...i've already registered and popluated the site!

Mon Sep 26 2005 10:36 PM

Ellen:

Jim,
I got so mad when I read this that I promptly wrote to UCLA at access@mednet.ucla.edu

To Whom It May Concern,
I was appalled to learn that you have turned down my dear friend, Jim Gilliam, for a lung transplant because the surgery would be too "difficult." Jim is a wonderful person who not only deserves the best medical care in the world but he is also the kind of guy who has faced "difficult" odds in his life and not thrown up his hands in defeat. Jim can hardly breathe but, rather than sit back and take the easy route, he takes the time every day to help a group of middle-aged ladies (of which I am one) with their political website just because he looks for ways to make a difference in this world. It's a shame you can't be more like him.
(My full name)
Friend of Jim, No Fan of UCLA

Thanks to your friend Ellen, I had to write UCLA and give them a piece of my mind too.

I am devastated to hear my brother, Jim Gilliam, was rejected from your medical center because his surgery is too difficult. Jim chose your medical center for the lung transplant he needs to save his life since he believed it one of the best in the country. After seeing our mother die (a UCLA alumni) of adrenaline cancer in 1996, watching my brother barely breathing on oxygen is more than I can handle. It sickens me your transplant center posts inaccurate statistics on your web page regarding the successes of lung transplant when you leave out a very important variable such as "too difficult" surgeries.